Arcadia Rotary Club and Arcadia Chinese Association (ACA) announce plans to restore Fort Rotary, a two-story western-style Boy Scout fort in the foothills behind Monrovia. This is historic, the first coordinated project between these two organizations. Architect Kevin Le from Le Architecture in Monrovia, has already volunteered his time to help. The project is expected to cost up to $140,000. So far, Boy Scouts of America (BSA) has pledged $25,000, ACA has pledged $25,000 and Arcadia Rotary has pledged $22,000 on behalf of Mary Hansen of Arcadia.
Santa Anita Park: another horse dies; summary on its way. Death is fifth in month; The California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) report on past meet is due in December. GQ Covergirl, a 6-year-old mare trained by Doug O'Neill injured her front legs Friday on Santa Anita's training track and was euthanized.
Man charged with kidnapping, beating ex-girlfriend in Arcadia. Robert Michael Mendez faces one count each of kidnapping and criminal threats and three counts of injuring a girlfriend or child's parent.
Ex-boyfriend of Arcadia woman charged with kidnapping. The ex-boyfriend's name is Robert Michael Mendez, age 27. The woman was hospitalized. Doorbell camera footage showed a man dragging a woman.
Pasadena Tournament of Roses 2020 Royal Court announced. Royal Court members will serve as ambassadors of the Tournament of Roses, the Pasadena community, and the greater Los Angeles area and will each receive $7500 educational scholarship. One girl on the court, Rukan Saif, is from Arcadia High School.
Robert Michael Mendez was arrested for attempted murder and kidnapping of his estranged girlfriend, on the 1500 block of South Santa Anita Avenue, near Camino Real Avenue.
Stronach Group and Santa Anita Park issue statement following the death of a 3-year-old colt named Emtech, euthanized on September 28. Two-time Kentucky Derby winning jockey Mario Gutierrez was tossed off in the incident. Santa Anita park will be reviewing the factors that could have contributed to Emtech's injury. Veterinarians Dr. Dionne Benson and Dr. Dana Stead were employed to euthanize and investigate.
A royal contest. The Rose Court field of 617 entrants trimmed to 25 finalists for the 2020 Pasadena Tournament of Roses. Those from Arcadia High School include Rukan Saif and Sydney Chang.
Arcadia City balks at surge in animal control bill. New contract with Pasadena Humane Society would raise costs fivefold, from $90,000 to $525,000 annually. See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 4, September 12, 2019.
Demonstrators occupy Arcadia City Council meeting and call for resignation of Mayor Pro Tem Roger Chandler. They spoke out against removal of basketball courts from Eisenhower Park. Some called Chandler to resign because of his August 20 remarks that he didn't like the "type" of people the courts attracted. Chandler accused Mayor April Verlato of orchestrating the protests.
Arcadia opens first Veterans' Administration (VA) clinic in the San Gabriel Valley area in eight years, called the Interim San Gabriel Valley Community Based Outpatient Clinic, located at 7 West Foothill Boulevard, Arcadia. It is called interim because this is a temporary location. This is a branch of the West Los Angeles VA Hospital. In an email from Gene Glasco, elected City Clerk, after years of advocacy, this veterans health clinic had its grand opening celebration on August 23, 2019.
Arcadia City Council member and Mayor Pro Tem Roger Chandler said he wouldn't want the basketball courts rebuilt because he doesn't like the "type" they attract. The old courts have been demolished already and City Council eventually recommitted to an improvement plan that permanently eliminates Eisenhower Park's basketball courts. Chandler's comments prompted an immediate uproar from residents in attendance. Council member April Verlato said his use of the phrase "the type" could be perceived as racist but doesn't think he meant it that way, but he should apologize. The renovated park will cost nearly $6.3 million, including a baseball diamond and large picnic area.
Hosre racing: deadly stakes. Santa Anita Park had 30 horse deaths this season. Jeff Goertzen looks at history of deaths at Santa Anita Park from 2008 to 2019 and explains possible reasons. With illustrations.
Luis Alonso Cruz Gaitan, 33, of Altadena and Isis Ondina Villalobos, 26, of Pasadena, accused of helping suspect named Heber Diaz in the killing of Chyong Jen Tsai, 76, during a burglary and robbery at her Arcadia home on April 9.